NEWS

2008 Governor's Summit Workforce Award Winners Announced

CHEYENNE - On May 28th, 2008, the third Governor's Summit on Workforce Solutions awarded five individuals/organizations with workforce awards. Five awards were given-the Outstanding Investment in Older Workers, Innovation in the Workplace Award, the Workforce Partnership Award, Outstanding Individual Performance Award and the Outstanding Investment in Young Workers Award.

Jerimiah Rieman, Policy Analyst for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and key organizer for the 2008 Governor's Summit, said, "These awards recognize a business, partnership, and an individual committed to innovative solutions to address the workforce issues in Wyoming. The Workforce Development Council is proud to present the awards and recognize the great efforts around the state to improve the workforce."

This year's winner of the Innovation in the Workplace Award was Trihydro Corporation. This award recognizes an employer that is committed to investing in the development and well-being of their employees and Wyoming's workforce Employers should demonstrate practices that improve the workplace such as employee retention best practices, employee training, career development, work-life balance policies, encouraging diversity in the workplace including generational diversity, provides market competitive wages and benefits and addressing child care and workforce housing needs.

The president of Trihydro, Jack Bedessem, has committed to providing a work-life balance for his employees. Bedessem understands that success comes from a happy and well-rounded workforce.

The Workforce Partnership Award was awarded to the Community Housing Partnership of Campbell County. This award recognizes a project that has demonstrated a unique collaboration between businesses and community organizations that include, but are not limited to, the workforce system, economic development and education that results in addressing a workforce issue.

The initial purpose of the Community Housing Partnership of Campbell County was to initiate dialog to address the concerns of the workforce housing in Gillette and surrounding areas. The focus of the project is to help initiate the building of affordable housing for Campbell County's workforce.

The winner of the Outstanding Individual Performance Award was Fred Bronnenberg of Groathouse Construction in Cody, Wyoming. The award recognized Bronnenberg as an individual who has made significant contributions to the workforce development profession through the development or enhancement of public or private workforce systems, or the building of strategic alliances and partnerships.

As the President of Groathouse Construction, Fred Bronnenberg has an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, and is always working to expand his knowledge and credentials to meet the changing needs of the local market. His ability to create an employer of choice environment for his workforce has gained the respect of many amongst the Cody community.

The 2008 winner for Outstanding Investment in Older Workders was Gene and Joann Schrader of Schrader Metal & Design in Cody, Wyoming. The Schraders have taken initiative to hire older workers and help keep them in Wyoming's workforce. By offering flexible schedules along with other great benefits, Schrader Metal & Design has become a leader of example of how employers can benefit from hiring older workers.

The final award, Outstanding Investment in Young Workers was awarded to Chris Tarantola, of Colour Graphics in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Tarantola is committed to investing in young workers. He provides opportunities for young workers to grow and succeed, connect with them in their community, provides for a work and life balance and intentionally embed young worker friendly practices into their framework.

The awards were given by the Wyoming Workforce Development Council, in partnership with the Department of Workforce Services.

Joan Evans, Director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, said, "It was my privilege to present these individuals with their awards and provide an opportunity for them to be recognized for their efforts in supporting Wyoming's workforce."

For more information, about these award winners or to learn more about the Governor's Summit on Workforce Solutions, please visit wyowdc.org.